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Honda refines all-new Fit for 2015

Honda's all-new 2015 Fit will be appearing in local dealerships this spring and will bring some major refinements to the subcompact car.

The new version of the Fit retains the five-door hatchback layout of the out-going model, but that's about where the similarities end. "It's been completely redesigned. From the front-end perspective it's got a completely new grille, front fascia, and new headlights. In back it's got new LED taillights," said Steve Kinkade of American Honda Motor Company.

The new Fit is a little smaller on the outside. It's 1.6 inches shorter, but 0.3 inches wider. However, the inside is actually larger, gaining nearly five cubic feet of space in the interior.

Honda is making a point of equipping all 2015 Fits with features like a back-up camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and a driver's side mirror that has a wide-angle area to it for better visibility in the driver's blind spot.

Moving up in trim levels adds things like a moonroof, heated front seats, a side camera to watch the passenger side blind spot and even leather seats.

"From a safety perspective it comes with our ACE body structure, so we know it's going to get strong safety ratings," Kinkade said.

Powering the little car is an all-new 1.5-liter direct-injection engine that generates 130 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers are up by 13 horsepower and 8 pound feet over the previous engine.

Drivers will have two transmission choices: a conventional 6-speed manual transmission or a smooth continuously variable unit (CVT). The cars equipped with the CVT are expected to achieve 33 mpg in the city and 41 on the highway.

Production on the new car has started at Honda's all-new factory in Celaya, Mexico.

Copyright 2014, Hearst Television

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